Scout Notes

Budget FPL assets shine for Leeds and Fulham but Bielsa highlights lack of creativity

Leeds United 4-3 Fulham

  • Goals: Helder Costa (£5.5m) x2, Mateusz Klich (£5.5m), Patrick Bamford (£5.6m) | Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m) x2, Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Bamford x2, Klich | Joe Bryan (£5.0m), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m), Kenny Tete (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: Mitrovic x3, Bamford x2, Costa x2

Patrick Bamford (£5.6m) rewarded his growing Fantasy following with a double-digit haul in Leeds United’s second seven-goal thriller of the week.

The forward’s goal in Gameweek 1’s 4-3 loss to Liverpool prompted nearly 365,000 managers to buy him in for the Fulham game.

Seasoned Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bosses, and many a Leeds fan, would have considered the move optimistic at best as Bamford has plenty of previous for missing his fair share of chances.

But the striker struck again on Saturday, finishing with aplomb when released by a Mateusz Klich (£5.5m) pass early in the second half of the win over Fulham.

His boss, Marcelo Bielsa, was quick to play down the side’s eye-catching start to the season:

This won’t be a constant all year. It is very difficult to maintain the efficiency we have had in these first two games. The characteristics of our game is to create goalscoring opportunities. In these two games we have created very little, but we have scored all our chances.

He might as well have been talking about Bamford, who has now scored from two of the three chances he has been presented with this season.

That has tempted another raft of managers to back the striker. He’s currently in the top three transfers-in for a Gameweek 3 trip to Sheffield United and a Yorkshire derby that should be, to use a technical term, proper tasty.

Whether his fine form is sustainable is highly debatable.

FPL has indulged plenty of fine early starters who failed to deliver consistently over a season – Norwich’s Teemu Pukki is the most recent example of that, while Manchester United striker Anthony Martial (£9.0m) is another who hit the Premier League ground running before being reduced to a stagger within a few weeks.

As we detailed in pre-season here, Bamford has never been the most clinical of strikers, missing 34 (77.3%) of the big chances he had in the Championship last season.

For now, however, it would be churlish not to bask in his point-scoring glory. He also had two assists against Fulham, earning a penalty when he was pushed in the back by Joe Bryan (£5.0m) and then setting up Helder Costa (£5.5m) on the break to make the scoreline 4-1 with barely ten minutes of the second half played.

Add on two bonus and the forward ended with 14 points on the day –  a total he shared with Costa as the midfielder opened the scoring when he picked up a loose ball from a corner and smashed it in off the bar with five minutes on the clock.

Costa also earned two bonus points and has now hauled in both matches for his 1.6% ownership.

But spare a thought for the 4.6% with Klich in their squads. He also scored in Gameweek 1 and was on the score sheet against the Cottagers when he rolled home the penalty Bamford had earned.

Such was the madness of the match, a goal and an assist were not enough to bring in any extra points for the Poland international. In fact, the maximum bonus award didn’t even go to a Leeds player at all.

That honour was reserved for visiting striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m), who marked his first start of the season with two goals and 12 points.

The Serbia international was a very popular pick heading into the season and the 20%-owned forward was quick to reward his followers when he blasted in a first-half penalty, awarded when Robin Koch (£4.5m) mistimed a slide tackle on Bryan.

He then headed in from a fine Kenny Tete (£4.5m) cross to make it 4-3 with just over 20 minutes left to play.

Fulham’s other goal was a sweet one, with the impressive Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) playing a beautifully-weighted pass through to Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.5m), who shot across Leeds keeper Illan Meslier (£4.5m) and into the far corner.

Both Meslier and his Fulham counterpart Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) were, unsurprisingly, busy boys on the day and the pair picked up a save point apiece for their efforts.

Two players who were rather less involved were Leeds playmaker Pablo Hernandez (£6.0m), who suffered a groin strain in the warm-up, and the club’s record signing, Rodrigo (£6.0m), who replaced him in the starting line-up.

The striker was peripheral at best playing as a number ten behind Bamford and he was hooked at half-time, although that was more an indication of his lack of match fitness as Bielsa, who has very high standards in that regard, was quick to point out post-match:

I was under the impression that he lacked a bit of energy to show his qualities. I think that has something to do with the physical effort he used against Hull (in the EFL Cup). That’s why I decided to sub him.

The coach also gave an update on Hernandez:

Pablo had a small knock in the warm-up. We don’t think it’s very serious.

Fulham boss Scott Parker had understandably mixed emotions about an away game in which his team had 55% of the possession and scored three goals, but still lost:

We showed some real quality in possession at times. We showed a real impetus and caused Leeds a lot of problems. On the flip side we gave away easy goals today and left ourselves a mountain to climb.

He also made it clear that he will chop and change his side this season:

The players who did not play today are vital and will play a vital part this year. As I showed last year I will make changes for matches that give us the best chance of winning.

Not that Fulham rotation will be a major concern for most Fantasy managers, with Mitrovic by far and away the most likely to be drafted in for a good schedule from now until late November.

As for Leeds, they currently have the dubious honour of being an even worse defensive unit than Fulham, having conceded seven goals to the Cottagers’ six.

But in Bamford, Costa and Klich, they have three in-form and very nicely priced assets who will surely find their way into many FPL teams over the next few weeks.

The Leeds rush might have to wait, however – after that derby in Sheffield, Bielsa’s men will host Manchester City in Gameweek 4.


Leeds United XI (4-4-2): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Koch, Ayling; Phillips, Harrison, Klich, Costa; Bamford (Alioski 70), Rodrigo (Roberts 45).

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Bryan, Hector, Odoi, Tete; Reed (Lemina 70′), Zambo Anguissa; Kamara (Kebano 58′), Onomah (Decordova-Reid 58′), Cavaleiro; Mitrović.

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2,659 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there any way to fix this team without WC or is it needed?

    (1FT/0itb)
    McCarthy*
    Justin* - Davies* - TAA
    Auba* - ASM* - Salah - Bruno
    Adams* - Wilson* - Werner

    (*) = hard fixture next / out of form

    1. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Oh dear we are in trouble

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bench ?

    3. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would do Auba + ASM > KDB + Podence e.g.

      Adams and Davies can surely be kept for another two or three, no way you wanna get rid of Justin now

    4. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just replied bottom of last page. I’ve got a very similar team.

      Really down after a poor score this week and considered the wildcard, which could work as I would make 6/7 transfers.

      But I also wonder if we might get more out of it in a week or two with more data?

      I think I’ll sleep on it and think again tomorrow.

      FWIW I’m
      McCarthy Steer
      TAA Justin Egan Ayling Mitchell
      Salah Auba Bruno ASM Reed
      Werner Mitro Adams

    5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs is not a hard fixture.

    6. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      similar team, doing a -8

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Which moves, out of interest?

        I’ve got a similar set-up and thinking Auba and ASM for Sterling and Podence -4

  2. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are sterling and KDB prices likely to rise tonight? Would like to watch the game before hitting the button

  3. reason17
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed,
    Hi, who is the best 4.5 mid that is guaranteed to play every game?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bissouma.

      1. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        3 match ban?

        1. Dr. Rog
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          best option and wouldnt want to spend a transfer on 3rd bench player

    2. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alzate

    3. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      reed fulham, doesn't get booked traditionally either

  4. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alli - 0pts

    Bertrand - 1

    Alli's replacement - red card.

    I sure know how to pick a team.

    Pen and paper my arse.

  5. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Too weak at the back? Quite like this but risky with such a light defence!

    Steer Martinez
    Justin James Saiss Dunne Mitchell
    Salah KDB Son Zaha 4.5
    Werner DCL Jimi

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes - particularly because 4 of them (maybe 5 actually) are not nailed.

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yeah good point! Shane that attack is lovely

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      love the Zaha pick

  6. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son and Podence
    Or
    JRod and Zaha

    Already have Kane

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      b

  7. Agger
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Your GW3 Captain?

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah I think

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Most likely Son of Jimenez

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son

    5. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner

    6. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      salah

    7. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane

      1. Agger
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sames but every time he has a fixture you think he’s going to be a great captain he blanks, so frustrating

  8. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mates who do you think is the best Wolves mid to consider after City?

    Podence? Traore? Other?

  9. PaulParker
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why all the podence love?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Because Jota is gone

    2. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves run of fixture, could play upfront, 5.5

    3. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      plays as a striker

  10. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On WC

    A) H Barnes, Brewster on bench
    B) Mitrovic, Podence rotation

  11. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Blimey, the #1 overall player has had a blinder of a week. 146 points, no chips played!

    1. Agger
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He’s even changed his team name to Number 1, he’s loving it and so he should! 🙂

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Almost double my overall score from both weeks

      1. Agger
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’ve got 148 in 2 weeks he’s almost beat me just this weekend 🙁

  12. Nimby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GW3 team 1ft 0.3 itb

    Ramsdale
    TAA Bertrand Davies
    Auba Son (c) Rodriguez soucek
    Vardy Ings Calvert-Lewin

    A. Ings to Jimenez
    B. Davies to Saiss

    Will do Auba to Salah probs.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  13. JoelyG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Thoughts on my WC team? 0.0 itb

    Martinez
    Castagne Van Dijk Saiss James
    Sterling Salah Rodriguez Son
    Jiminez DCL

    (Costa, Mitchell, Brewster) GW3 will probably play Costa and bench Castgne in 352 formation.

    Have Costa as Leeds look like they can score against anyone and Costa plays the full 90 unlike Bamford.

    Thanks

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      its interesting. especially if Brewster gets the loan move then it will be pretty template i expect.
      lack of chelski attack is obviously concern, and if brewster doesnt get his loan move then you are using up your liv slots.
      benching one of castagne or costa feels like a little too much sitting on the bench.

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Like it. You got any spare cash to do Costa to Klich? He's on penos.

  14. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba or Salah out for SON?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      take both out for Son & JRod. For a hit if possible.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba

  15. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    the wildcard template will be ripped up when brewster gets his loan move

  16. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Lamptey / Son / Bamford
    B) Saiss / Harrison / Jimenez

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Will you play Harrison?

      1. The Frenchie
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, the three are in the 11

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Then A

  17. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A -4 get me this

    McCarthy
    TAA, C Taylor, Mitchell
    Salah (c), Son, J Rodriguez, Soucek
    Jimenez, Werner, Martial

    Steer, ASM, Justin, Holding

    Should I WC or take another hit ?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t think I’d wildcard that.

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      similar team, looks good to me other than the lack of DCL

  18. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is this ok? Have 2ft’s so don’t want to WC

    Bertrand, Auba, Havertz, Wilson
    To
    Lamptey, Sterling, Rodriguez, Jiminez

    For -8?

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only the last 3 for -4 if possible

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No I need the extra .5 unfortunately. If only!

  19. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with this team guys?
    1)WC
    2)Auba Asm-> KdB/Sterling Podence for -4
    3) Auba Brewster-> Jiménez Zaha for -4
    4) Auba ASM-> Son Zaha for -4

    McCarthy* (Button)
    TAA Egan* Justin (Douglas* Taylor)
    Auba* Salah Bruno ASM* Souchek*
    Werner DCL (Brewster)

    Ideally want to transfer out those in *

    1. LucasMoregametime
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2 or 3

      1. Nimby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Snap.

    2. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2 or 3. I like to hold the wildcard as long as possible.

      1. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, once these fist crazy gw are settled, there should be a better time to wc

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      3. then bench Justin, Douglas and ASM

      1. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers, just nervous to go without City

  20. reason17
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is the website fantasy football fix reliable?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      depends what for, if you are talking price rises i rather fpl stats

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      none of them are right now - far too many wildcards

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why are some people still keeping Adams?

    1. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably because he's cheap enough to enable them to have other good players. Glad I went with Ings tbh.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      xg fans

    3. AF90
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who should I replace with? Want to upgrade to Jimenez

  22. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba, Tierney, ASM -----> KDB, Castagne, Podence for -8 ?

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yesss

  23. LucasMoregametime
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    POST WC TEAM
    Kepa (Ryan)
    Saiss, VVD, Justin (Mitchell, 4.0)
    Salah, hamez, Zaha, Foden (if starts tonight), (Mendy)
    Jiminez, Kane, Werner

    OR
    Ryan (Mccarthy)
    James, VVD, Justin (Mitchell, 4.0)
    Bruno, KDB, Zaha, Hamez (Mendy)
    Bamford, Kane, Werner

  24. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with this team for GW3?

    McCarthy
    TAA James Mitchell
    Salah Auba Bruno ASM*
    Mitro Werner Adams

    Walton Justin Holding Bissouma*

    A) ASM to Podence/H. Costa + Auba to KDB for -4 and get som team value loss
    B) Wildcard
    ..

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pretty much my exact dilemma!

      Either way, think I’ll watch tomorrow’s games and stew on it a while!

  25. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Looking at my team, it would really benefit from a wildcard and I’m down about a rubbish score this weekend, but I’m going to wait until tomorrow’s games.

    I could probably get through GW3 with a FT/-4, but that would be on account of giving Southampton players one more chance...

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Justin Egan Ayling Mitchell
    Salah Auba Bruno ASM Reed
    Werner Mitro Adams

    Step away from the FPL app and sleep on it!

  26. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    is bissouma locked from dropping while suspended?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No. Only when red flag is removed

  27. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who do I need to get rid of first?

    Havertz
    Adams
    ASM

  28. UKG
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno, ASM and Auba to Son, James R, and KDB, -8?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah probably would

  29. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Serious headache...

    Son or Werner? Can’t see a way of getting them both in without sacrificing the rest of the team..

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i think its TAA vs Son vs Werner. Pick 2.

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I can’t haha, I like them all..

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I replied on your other post if you can trim 1m you could have werner temporarily in place of Jimi. Not sure if your intent is to keep Werner long term or not, but its an option that possibly allows you to keep Son.

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ah sorry I didn’t see the reply mate!

  30. Gr3g
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For my self JWP as Saints cover and pen taker... another one that has to go!